A frustrating road loss to the reigning Super Bowl Champions in Week 1 gives the Patriots a big opportunity to redirect their 2026 season by getting a win in their home opener against the Steelers on Sunday afternoon.
They need it to maintain their competitive status in the AFC and prove their success last year wasn't a fluke. Although they ultimately lost to the Seahawks last Wednesday, they showed significant improvement since their last meeting, and they'll have to keep it up against a high-powered Steelers team if they want a chance to win.
Most importantly, they'll need to avoid turnovers, which cost them a chance to steal a win in Seattle, courtesy of Drake Maye. It was the worst performance of his young career so far, and what has typically been his strength- his 15+ air-yard passes- was a disaster against a depleted Seahawks secondary.
Even with A.J. Brown sidelined, the quarterback will still have a chance to use that skill again this weekend, and he could do so without one of the Steelers' best cornerbacks on the field: Joey Porter Jr.
According to head coach Mike McCarthy, the 26-year-old missed the season opener against the Falcons by choice, not entirely due to his rehab from an injury. He could make that decision again, since Porter has been holding out for a new contract, which means he might not suit up for the Patriots game.
That could be a gift for Maye, who needs a bounce-back game in a major way.
There's a strong possibility that Joey Porter Jr. isn't on the field against the Patriots
Because Porter remains a trade candidate, the longer the Steelers can't reach an extension agreement, the more likely he is to miss another game this week, with the Patriots as the next beneficiary of his absence.
It needs to be something the offense can exploit, especially with Brown out, and Maye can use one of his best skills against a defense missing one of its top players.
That means Mack Hollins will need to keep climbing the depth chart and become Maye's next favorite weapon for his deep-ball skill. He could also use Kyle Williams for his length and speed, which he'll need against a strong defensive front led by T.J. Watt.
We didn't see much from the offense last week against the Seahawks, despite being down two of their starting safeties, and it created plenty of problems for the Patriots. Maye couldn't throw the ball much at all, especially deep, which only made things worse, especially since they already couldn't establish the run.
But this time, if Porter is out for the game, Maye has no reason not to air it out and take advantage of their clear weakness in the secondary. It's how they have beaten teams in the past, and it could be their crutch this week, too.
The Steelers didn't look great in their season opener against the Falcons, beating them by only seven points, and Aaron Rodgers completed just 60% of his passes. So this could be the perfect matchup for the Patriots to bounce back and assert their dominance once again.
They could avenge their devastating loss last season that should've been a win, and get their season back on the right path before going on the road in back-to-back weeks to face the Jaguars and the Bills.
There won't be many times this season when a defense will be down a playmaker like Porter, so if the Patriots can benefit from some early injuries that make the offense's job a bit easier, they need to do it.
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